Adapter for connecting auxiliary cable to side terminal battery

• US 4,377,317 A
• Filed: 06/27/1980
• Issued: 03/22/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Auto-Line Automotive Corporation
• Original Assignee: Auto-Line Manufacturing Corporation
• Inventors: Shekel, Joseph, DeStefano, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McKenzie, Jr., Frank H.
• Application Number:
  US06/161,398
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 339/28 R, 339/28 B, 339/29 R, 339/29 B, 339/31, 339/224, 339/228, 339/229, 339/230, 429/121, 429/179
• US Class Current: 439/172
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/24 with gripping jaws, e.g. crocodile clip

Abstract

A side terminal battery adapter for connecting auxiliary cables to a side terminal of a side terminal battery includes resiliently urged opposed clamp halves adapted for fitting over and gripping the terminal. A gripping surface on the adapter permits connection of the auxiliary cables thereto using conventional gripping jaws. Alternatively, the adapter may be pivotably integrated with the gripping jaws of the auxiliary cables and retained in a selectable angular orientation with respect thereto by interengagement of circularly positioned teeth on the adapter and on the gripping jaws.

Claims

1. An adapter for connecting an auxiliary cable to a side terminal of a side terminal battery, said side terminal having a head portion with a circumferential groove therein, said adapter comprising:

a metallic member comprising two separate clamp halves;

a first clamp half;

a first inner contour on said first clamp half having a shape and thickness adapted for fitting within a first portion of said circumferential groove at a first side of said side terminal;

a second clamp half disposed opposed to said first clamp half;

a second inner contour on said second clamp half opposed to said first inner contour and having a shape and thickness adapted for fitting within a second portion of said circumferential groove at a second side of said side terminal which is substantially opposite said first side;

means for pivoting said second clamp half to permit motion of said second inner contour toward and away from said first inner contour;

resilient means for urging said second clamp half about said means for pivoting toward said first clamp half;

at least one camming surface on an outer end of at least said second clamp half, said camming surface being adapted for contacting said circumferential groove and for pivoting said second inner contour away from said first inner contour when said camming surface is pressed onto said circumferential groove whereby said first and second inner contours are opened to a dimension sufficient for entry of said circumferential groove therebetween;

said resilient means being effective to clamp said first and second inner contours in said circumferential groove about said side terminal whereby mechanical and electrical connection between said adapter and said side terminal is achieved; and

means for mechanically and electrically connecting said auxiliary cable to said adapter whereby mechanical and electrical connection between said side terminal and said auxiliary cable is achieved through said adapter.

2. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein said means for mechanically and electrically connecting includes an end of said metallic member which extends away from said first and second clamp halves to permit clamping thereupon of an auxiliary connector of said auxiliary cable.

3. An adapter according to claim 2 wherein said end extends substantially coplanar with said first and second clamp halves.

4. An adapter according to claim 2 wherein said end extends at an angle to a plane of said first and second clamp halves.

5. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein said means for mechanically and electrically connecting includes an auxiliary connector connected to said auxiliary cable and means for pivotably connecting said adapter to said auxiliary connector.

6. An adapter according to claim 1 wherein said metallic member and said first clamp half are substantially coplanar, an upper portion of said second clamp half disposed face to face with a surface of said metallic member, said means for pivoting being disposed in said upper portion, and a bend in said second clamp half effective to displace a lower portion of said second clamp half containing said second inner contour coplanar with said metallic member and said first clamp half.

7. An auxiliary connector for connecting an auxiliary cable to a battery terminal comprising:

first and second mutually pivoted member having first and second opposed jaws at a first end of each thereof;

said auxiliary cable being attached to a second end of one of said mutually pivoted members;

said first and second jaws having first and second sets of opposed teeth respectively thereon;

said first set of teeth being disposed along a portion of a first circle;

said second jaw including an adapter;

said adapter including said second set of teeth disposed along a portion of a second circle;

means for pivoting said adapter about a center of said second circle;

said first and second sets of teeth being adapted for mutual interengagement therebetween at a plurality of rotational positions of said adapter about said center of said second circle, whereby said adapter may be locked into a selectable one of said plurality of rotational positions;

a metallic plate member on said adapter;

a first clamp half affixed to an end of said plate member remote from said second set of teeth;

a second clamp half opposed to said first clamp half;

means for pivoting a first end of said second clamp half to said plate member;

resilient means for urging a second end of said second clamp half toward said first clamp half;

a first inner contour on said first clamp half facing said second clamp half;

a second inner contour on said second clamp half facing said first clamp half and opposed to said first inner contour;

a camming surface on said second clamp half effective to rotate said second end of said second clamp half away from said first clamp half when said camming surface is pressed against a battery terminal of the side terminal type whereby said first and second clamp halves are opened to admit said side terminal between said first and second inner contours for gripping thereof when said adapter is in at least one of said plurality of rotational positions; and

said first and second sets of teeth on said first and second jaws respectively being effective to grip opposed sides of a battery terminal of the top terminal type when said adapter is in at least a second of said plurality of rotational positions.